Peyton joins schools fracas

A STUDY GROUP Peyton wants Wise and the School Board to give others a chance to weigh in. MORE CONFLICT Several board members are unhappy, saying Peyton is implying they're emotional.

TIA MITCHELL

Jacksonville Mayor Peyton decided Saturday to step into the middle of the rising tensions between the Duval County School Board and Superintendent Joseph Wise, irritating some board members in the process.

Peyton called for a "cooling off period" that would give him time to convene a group of education and city leaders to study and help resolve issues between the superintendent and School Board. Former mayor and current University of North Florida President John Delaney would lead the group.

Peyton's plea came a day after Wise circulated a letter to city officials and the media Friday, calling for the resignation of Brenda Priestly Jackson over a residency violation. She is Wise's most vocal critic on the board and has denied the allegations in his letter.

Wise and one board member said Saturday night that they are open to Peyton's idea. But other board members said they were concerned the mayor was suggesting that board members had become knee-jerk in their response to recent actions by Wise.

"I certainly appreciate the interest and concern that the mayor is showing by offering help. However, even by the use of the term 'cooling off period,' it implies that we're somehow in a state of emotional reaction," board member Nancy Broner said.

She added that the board has always made thoughtful decisions based on the facts and would continue to do so.

She said she is open to the work group's input, but ultimately the decisions will be left to the board.

Peyton issued a statement asking for the "cooling off period" around 5:30 p.m. and after speaking with Wise and five of the seven board members. Two couldn't be reached. His spokeswoman, Susie Wiles, said the mayor wasn't attempting to choose sides but rather to provide leadership on what has become a polarizing issue throughout the city.

"It appears that the rhetoric and the public commentary just continues to be ratcheted, and that's not healthy or helpful for the community and particularly not the children," Wiles said.

His letter was met by harsh criticism from other board members, who said it was ill-timed and added fuel to growing distrust between the superintendent and the board.

Friday's letter prompted Chairwoman Vicki Drake to call a meeting Tuesday to discuss Wise's contract. It would take four votes to terminate him.

Wiles said Peyton didn't ask the board to cancel Tuesday's meeting but is hopeful no major decisions are made until the committee can provide input. No timeline or details about who would serve on the group were announced.

Wise said Saturday night that Peyton's idea is a good one and the mayor is correct in attempting to shift the focus back to academic achievement.

"At the end of the day, students are in this and our focus on students has to be the prevailing interest," Wise said.

Board member Kris Barnes said she also felt the mayor's request was reasonable.

Tommy Hazouri and Priestly Jackson echoed the concerns that Broner raised. Hazouri said the board doesn't need to slow down.

"We've had a 'cooling-off period' for the last several weeks, and hopefully now we're coming to a resolve," he said. "And we're going to do it in a deliberate manner because the public expects us to do our job."

Priestly Jackson said the mayor might have overstepped his boundaries in making the request, which bordered on being offensive.

"This has been a very methodical board that has gone above and beyond in terms of being rational and reasonable," she said.